The long-term outcomes of school absence

International research has pointed to the longer-term impact of school absence on outcomes in early adulthood. This study uses Growing Up in Ireland data to document the consequences of absence in primary and post-primary education for a range of outcomes in (early) adulthood, including educational qualifications, labour market position, and health and wellbeing. The main research questions addressed in the study are:

1. What is the relationship between school absence and outcomes in
   early adulthood, including Leaving Certificate attainment, post-school
   qualifications, employment status and quality, income, life satisfaction,
   and mental health?
2. Does the impact of school absenteeism on future outcomes vary
   depending on when the absences occur (i.e. primary or post-primary
   education)?
3. Does school-level absence have an effect over and above individual
   absenteeism?
4. Do the relationships between school absenteeism and early adulthood
   outcomes vary based on factors such as socio-economic status, gender,
   migrant background, and disability?

Attendance has become all the more important as a policy concern given the increase in school absence since the pandemic.